Over the past few days I’ve received several e-mails and phone calls from friends and relatives who are facing some pretty tough situations. The problems they are facing are familiar to us all…family, medical and financial. I certainly would not call myself an expert on how to deal with tough times as I often fail to do the right thing. But as with everything I attempt to fail forward. As I’ve told those with whom I’ve communicated, I have a great friend who shared the following story with me during a time I faced some pretty tough trials.
Run toward the roar
We all know that the Lion is king of the jungle. Every creature that graces the jungle floor must surrender to the power of the lion. Every bird that thinks of flying through the jungle must get runway clearance from the lion. Yet, as the Lion rules the jungle he has his detractors. Imagine that, animals like humans, have their detractors. Each and every day the lion wakes up he must defend his right to rule. As he grows older more and more attack animals the throne of the lion. Even his closest relatives, the young and vivacious lion cubs begin an attempt to overthrow the Lion. The entire jungle is against the lion, yet he is able to hold onto his reign of the jungle. How? He continues to roar. As he gets older and older, as his mange begins to tatter and become worn, the lion roars and his attackers retreat. As he continues to rule through his old age, the very teeth that once killed the gazelle are now gone. With his mange gone, his ability to run and stalk behind him and his teeth on the floor of the very jungle he rules, the lion has only one form of protection left, his roar. As the younger lions prepare to attack, he roars and they retreat. As the gazelle near, he roars and they retreat. You see, what the lion cubs, gazelle and other animals don’t realize is that the Lion has lost everything he once used to rule the jungle. His great mange gone, his swift speed gone, his teeth gone, all that’s left is the roar.
Often times when we’re facing trials all we can he is the roar. We make initial attempts to combat the problem but we fail because once we hear the roar, we turn away. Like the young lion cubs and gazelle we don’t realize that the trials we’re facing have lost their ability to destroy and rule. The teeth of trials we face are lying at our feet. Though the roar of what we’re facing may become louder and louder, we can be encouraged to run toward the roar knowing that its ability to attack, destroy and conquer us is a thing of the past. For Christians, we must accept even more encouragement in the fact that over 2,000 years ago, Christ ripped the teeth from our trials and tribulations. Folks the teeth of your trials are beneath the very feet that will take you to overcoming your trials. Though the roar may become overbearing, run toward the roar! And, when you do…you’ll find a toothless warrior that you can easily overcome.
The next time you’re faced with trials and tribulation begin to tap a foot knowing that you’re driving the teeth of the situation into the ground.
Run toward the roar!
You have no idea what this post means to me. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment. If I can impact one person’s life it is well worth the effort.
This is an excerpt from another source, and I believe this is what “running toward the roar” is really about. Just an fyi. (Your point is a good one, but the story behind it isn’t complete).
I heard a guy speaking on fear years ago. He spoke of a savannah setting in Africa where the ousted head of a pride could no longer defend his harem. Rather than drive him off, some prides will actually use the old lion for their advantage. The old lion is neither quick nor lethal, since his teeth have begun to rot and decay. He no longer has the bite he once possessed. However, his roar is still impressive. When hunting, the lionesses will strategically hide in the tall savannah grass close to a watering hole during the hot mid-day sun. When evening comes, the herds of antelope and wildebeest will come close to water, not suspecting the hidden danger. The old lion will appear on the opposite side of the pride lying in wait. The old lion will appear suddenly and with great force let out a terrific roar. The startled animals will react and run from the roar, into the trap laid by the pride. If only they had run toward the roar — actually run toward the thing that seemed most fearful rather than into the snare that awaited them.